Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admits results must improve

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/18/alan-pardew-newcastle-mike-ashley

Version 0 of 1.

The Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has revealed he has not discussed his future with the owner Mike Ashley following the Magpies’ poor start to the season.

Pardew’s future has become the subject of fevered speculation after Newcastle’s dismal start to the campaign, with the club sitting bottom of the Premier League with just two points from their opening four fixtures.

Some Newcastle fans unfurled a “Pardew Out” banner during Saturday’s 4-0 loss at Southampton and the frustration comes not only after their stuttering start to this season, but also after a dour end to the 2013-14 campaign, when they lost 14 of their last 20 league matches.

Pardew admits that results need to improve, starting with the Premier League encounter at home to Hull on Saturday, and that discussion about his St James’ Park future is not of primary concern.

He said: “I have spoken to Mike, we had a long conversation on Sunday and obviously he was disappointed with the performance, as he has a right to as the owner, and he reflected that to me.

“The one thing that we both agreed on was that we really need to focus on this Saturday and try and get a win for the football club.

“I think that’s very important. Certain issues, particularly the issue regarding me, have to somewhat take a bit of a back seat for the team because it’s going to be a very difficult environment.”

The former West Ham, Southampton and Reading manager, who signed an eight-year deal in September 2012, expects a tough encounter when Newcastle welcome Hull to St James’ Park.

He added: “Of course he [Ashley] was upset about the performance and really we focused on that, and I never asked for any reassurance, but what I do know is that I signed a long contract here for good or bad.

“We’ve had some great times, which seem to have been forgotten recently, and we’ve had some tough times as well.

“This will be one of the toughest. I have been through some tough times as manager but the environment for the players this Saturday will probably be as tough as it’s ever been.”